Hello fellow betta lovers, I am a new convert to the world of bettas and may have gotten in a little over my head. I was buying some accessories for my newly purchased betta and speaking with an sales associate at Petco when they mentioned betta's like having a plant that the eat and make bubbles on or something. So she said some are toxic to bettas, but she knew for sure that the "betta plant" was good to go. I took her advice and purchased this plant and when I came home and read the instrutions on the back of the card it said the leaves should be exposed to air?? I specifically told the woman that I had a top and a light on the aquarium he is in so I would not be able to have it totally out and she said that was fine and that is the plant people use for their bettas. I guess what Im asking is anyone familiar with "betta plants", possibly know what species this is or know if its going to die being mostly submerged in my tank. Sorry for the long post by Harold really likes his new plant so I would hate for it to die. If anyone has any suggestions for a replacement to this "betta plant" if it should die would also be appreciated. I should add I have river stones as a substrate so I would imagine that would affect the plant selection. Thanks again.. Bill Nye
Betta plant?
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Hmm sorry for the double post but I am not sure how to edit on this forum. I was looking through some pictures and the plant I have looks very similiar to Anubias barteri. ...edit Never mind just found the edit not sure how I didn't see it. I would also like to add that after adding this plant harold has been very angry with his own reflection. Before the plant he would look at himself alot but now he is flaring like crazy...what gives?
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That woman, like many petshop employees, was spouting falsehoods (whether she was aware of it or not) in order to make a sale. Bettas are carnivores and will not eat plants unless they are absolutely starving, and even then it is just empty calories, in effect.
If it is an anubias species it can stay underwater no problem. Is it possible for you to post a photo so we can confirm? A lot of petshops sell semi-aquatic plants as aquatics, which all later rot underwater.
With a river-stone substrate, you are effectively limited to non-rooting plants. Anubias and java fern are both great, as they should be tied to rocks or driftwood rather than rooted in substrate. Java moss is also good, as are floating plants such as hornwort, duckweed and frogbit.
I'm not sure why a plant would make him more aware of his own reflection, but I would suggest covering the sides of the tank on the outside with cardboard to block reflections.
If it is an anubias species it can stay underwater no problem. Is it possible for you to post a photo so we can confirm? A lot of petshops sell semi-aquatic plants as aquatics, which all later rot underwater.
With a river-stone substrate, you are effectively limited to non-rooting plants. Anubias and java fern are both great, as they should be tied to rocks or driftwood rather than rooted in substrate. Java moss is also good, as are floating plants such as hornwort, duckweed and frogbit.
I'm not sure why a plant would make him more aware of his own reflection, but I would suggest covering the sides of the tank on the outside with cardboard to block reflections.
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sry to steal your thread
what are the typical plants that are in the "betta plant" kits? I saw one that Petco that had plant blubs but didn't tell me what plants they are. Im going to stay away from them just because it maybe a wide variation of plant choices/I may end up with a hard to care for plant.
what are the typical plants that are in the "betta plant" kits? I saw one that Petco that had plant blubs but didn't tell me what plants they are. Im going to stay away from them just because it maybe a wide variation of plant choices/I may end up with a hard to care for plant.
Ok so I figured it out. What I have is Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). This is definitely not an aquatic plant...This plant is also not tall enough for all the leaves to be exposed...only the two tallest leaves of the ~6 it has are out of the water. I had asked what plants I could keep and the lady said that was the only one. This plant is definitely not going to work if it has to be totally out as my cover fits tightly. Should I just throw it out now? I will definitely look into those options you listed. I am definitely not going back to petco for my plants..hopefully a local place will have a better selection anyway.
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If you purchased it from a Petco or PetsMart, I'd uproot it/put it into a sandwich baggie with some water from your tank/exchange the plant in store.
Also, bring your receipt
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You can keep it in a vase seperately. Peace lilies are pretty, just not in fishtanks. Yep, the lady was fibbing.
Sorry I don't know the answer to yours, Fishy.
Yep, the lady was fibbing.Sorry I don't know the answer to yours, Fishy.
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Awh bummer.You can keep it in a vase seperately. Peace lilies are pretty, just not in fishtanks.
Sorry I don't know the answer to yours, Fishy.
Yeah, if it were me, I'd love to keep the plant, but I'm sure the OP would rather exchange it for something he or she can keep in his aquarium.
I think i saw this...was it three bulbs in packaging? I believe it was potamageton, Vallisneria americana and another common pond weed. I thought to myself I could go out to any wetland in my area and find this...
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I also was wondering what type of fertilizer or food this plant will need if i keep it in a vase. The nearest petco is like 30 minutes from my house so Its not worth going back up there to return it.
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I also was wondering what type of fertilizer or food this plant will need if i keep it in a vase. The nearest petco is like 30 minutes from my house so Its not worth going back up there to return it.
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Ah
I'm not sure, I did some googling and apparently there are 2 types of peace lilies.
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Yep, and make sure they don't give you a nice Ribbon Plant (variegated bog plant) or Lucky Bamboo in exchange. Neither is fully aquatic and they sell tons of it to unsuspecting people.If you purchased it from a Petco or PetsMart, I'd uproot it/put it into a sandwich baggie with some water from your tank/exchange the plant in store.
Also, bring your receipt
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The peace lily isn't actually an aquatic plant.. and being a terrestrial, South American rain forest plant, has nothing whatsoever to do with bettas.
It would probably enjoy being potted up in some good grade -- porous -- potting mix (porous is important as they must have excellent drainage) and kept as an indoor plant. They do like lots of water, though, and in my experience do very well in self-watering pot. In an ordinary pot, never leave the pot sitting on a base full of water for days on end, or the plant will rot.
Plants that have been kept in water and then potted out can get a bit wilty for a few weeks, as it takes them time to adjust to the new conditions, but these lilies are pretty tough.
There's actually a lot of different varieties, but they all enjoy similar conditions.
Here's some information on peace lily care:
When caring for peace lily plants, remember that its leaves will indicate any problems. Brown leaf tips are likely caused by overwatering. Water thoroughly, but don't allow the soil to get soggy. It could also be caused by direct sun. Move it to a shadier spot and be careful not to overwater. If the leaves become shriveled and dry, the humidity is too low. You can increase humidity by misting the plant or placing it on a tray of wet pebbles.
CAUTION: This plant is poisonous. Keep it away from children and pets who may play with or chew on it, and wash hands thoroughly after handling it.
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Origin: South America
Height: Up to 3 ft (90 cm)
Light: Bright light, but no direct sun. Will tolerate low light, but may bloom poorly.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist.
Humidity: Average room humidity.
Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F, 18-24°C
Soil: Any good potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Propagation: Division. This plant likes to be slightly pot-bound. Divide it every 5 years or when necessary.
It would probably enjoy being potted up in some good grade -- porous -- potting mix (porous is important as they must have excellent drainage) and kept as an indoor plant. They do like lots of water, though, and in my experience do very well in self-watering pot. In an ordinary pot, never leave the pot sitting on a base full of water for days on end, or the plant will rot.
Plants that have been kept in water and then potted out can get a bit wilty for a few weeks, as it takes them time to adjust to the new conditions, but these lilies are pretty tough.
There's actually a lot of different varieties, but they all enjoy similar conditions.
Here's some information on peace lily care:
When caring for peace lily plants, remember that its leaves will indicate any problems. Brown leaf tips are likely caused by overwatering. Water thoroughly, but don't allow the soil to get soggy. It could also be caused by direct sun. Move it to a shadier spot and be careful not to overwater. If the leaves become shriveled and dry, the humidity is too low. You can increase humidity by misting the plant or placing it on a tray of wet pebbles.
CAUTION: This plant is poisonous. Keep it away from children and pets who may play with or chew on it, and wash hands thoroughly after handling it.
Origin: South America
Height: Up to 3 ft (90 cm)
Light: Bright light, but no direct sun. Will tolerate low light, but may bloom poorly.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist.
Humidity: Average room humidity.
Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F, 18-24°C
Soil: Any good potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Propagation: Division. This plant likes to be slightly pot-bound. Divide it every 5 years or when necessary.
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Great information Aus!!
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Other plants to look out for, apart from ribbon plants and lucky bamboo:
- mondo grass
- aluminium
- scarlet temple
- purple waffle
- violet
All of these are semi-aquatic and will rot in your tank.
- mondo grass
- aluminium
- scarlet temple
- purple waffle
- violet
All of these are semi-aquatic and will rot in your tank.
Thanks for all the excellent advice! I just happened here on chance after googling betta fish
So today after work I headed over to a LFS and picked up some Java Fern, Anubias and christmas moss. The lady I dealt with said these were all very easy to care for species and that they didnt require substrate to survive.
I was wondering if it is possible to gently place the roots under some of the river stones I have as substrate or will that crush them?
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I was also wondering is it possible to change too much water? I rinsed the plants before I put them in his tank but there was still a bunch of crap clinging to it that was released into the water (especially the xmas moss). I have been changing about 20 percent of his water a day but today I am thinking of doing like 75 percent so it will take care of some of the mess. Can I change 50 - 75 percent of the water per day or is that too much?
So today after work I headed over to a LFS and picked up some Java Fern, Anubias and christmas moss. The lady I dealt with said these were all very easy to care for species and that they didnt require substrate to survive.
I was wondering if it is possible to gently place the roots under some of the river stones I have as substrate or will that crush them?
edit
I was also wondering is it possible to change too much water? I rinsed the plants before I put them in his tank but there was still a bunch of crap clinging to it that was released into the water (especially the xmas moss). I have been changing about 20 percent of his water a day but today I am thinking of doing like 75 percent so it will take care of some of the mess. Can I change 50 - 75 percent of the water per day or is that too much?
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It would probably be better just to gently wedge the plants between the stones or to tie them to the stones using cotton thread or fishing line.
What size is your tank? In less than 5 gallons, it is generally suggested to do 1 50% and 1 100% change per week. Constant daily changes can stress your fish out.
What size is your tank? In less than 5 gallons, it is generally suggested to do 1 50% and 1 100% change per week. Constant daily changes can stress your fish out.
Ok ty for the advice. I will probably do 50 percent today and then a 100 the next. When I do the hundred percent change I can leave the plants in correct?
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I don't recommend doing a 100% water change the day after a 50%. Such large water changes are never ideal, though necessary in an uncycled tank, and back-to-back they would be extremely stressful for your fish. Also, there would really be no point since your tank would have had a large water change just the day before. A better schedule would be one change in the middle of the week and the other on the weekend. Make sure with both water changes that the temperature of the new water matches the tank water to minimize stress, and be sure to reacclimate him after the 100%, and you should be golden.
Also, just confirming that the java fern was an excellent choice for your betta tank. It's the one plant that all of my tanks have in common, and my bettas especially love it. I usually just set it on top of my substrate unattached to anything. My boys like to wriggle between the rhizome and the gravel when they decide it's time to be scaly little cave trolls with gills; then come nighttime they nestle into the leaves to sleep. If you remove the plants during your 100 percents, just plopping them in or attaching them to a river rock would be the easiest routes.
How large is your betta's tank?
Also, just confirming that the java fern was an excellent choice for your betta tank. It's the one plant that all of my tanks have in common, and my bettas especially love it. I usually just set it on top of my substrate unattached to anything. My boys like to wriggle between the rhizome and the gravel when they decide it's time to be scaly little cave trolls with gills; then come nighttime they nestle into the leaves to sleep. If you remove the plants during your 100 percents, just plopping them in or attaching them to a river rock would be the easiest routes.
How large is your betta's tank?
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